Aeroplane.



P. LAZARIDES.

AEROPLANE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 6.19]?- 1 ,284:,373. I Patented Nov. 12, 1918.

3 SHEETS-SHEET l.

P. LAZARIDES.

AEROPLANE- APPLICATION FILED APR. 6. 1917.

Patented Nov. 12, 1918'.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

P. LAZARIDES.

AEROPLANE- APPLICATION FILED APR.6, 19!?- 1,284,373. Patented Nov. 12, 1918;.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

I m a.

p anemtoz PLATON LAZARIDES, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

AEROPLANE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed April 6, 1917. Serial No. 160,136.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, PLATON LAzARInEs, a subject of the King of Greece, residing at New York, in the county and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Aeroplanes, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to aeroplanes, and one of the objects of the invention is to provide a machine which will possess greater stability in flight than the heavier-than-air type of machines as hitherto constructed.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine of the above character such that if an accident occurs while the same is in flight, gine, or other mishap, preventing the further flight, the aeroplane will settle to the surface of the earth in such a way that neither the machine, nor the occupants thereof will suffer injury.

Another object of the invention is to improve generally upon aeroplane construction, both as to its lightness, stability of structure, and flying qualities.

Other objects and aims of the invention, more or less specific than those referred to above, will be in part obvious and in part pointed out in the course of the following description of the elements, combinations, arrangements of parts and applications of principles, constituting the invention; and

the scope of protection contemplated will be indicated in the appended claim.

In the accompanying drawings, wherein is illustrated a preferred form of embodiment of my invention: 7

Figure 1 is a top plan view of an aeroplane constructed in accordance with my invention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view thereof.

Fig. 3 is a front elevational view, as indicated by the line III-III of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic view in elevation, showing the manner of mounting and controlling the elevating planes.

Fig. 5 is a similar view of the rudder and its operating means.

Fig. 6 is a view in elevation, partly in section, showing a detail of construction of the carriage of the aeroplane; and

Fig. '1 is a view of details of construction.

eferring now to the drawings, wherein similar reference characters refer to similar parts, and in which I have illustrated my invention as applied to an aeroplane of the for instance the stopping of the enbiplane type, the reference numeral 1 denotes the upper plane, and 2 the lower plane. Suitable struts 3 are positioned between the frames of the upper and lower planes, and guy wires 4 provided with turnbuckles are extended between the frames of th lower and upper planes, said guy wires, in conjunction with the struts, holding the p anes spaced apart and in fixed relation to each other.

The reference numeral 5 denotes a post which extends vertically through the frames of both the upper and lower planes to a point located considerably above the upper plane, guy wires 6 connecting the upper end of this postwith various points in the frames of the upper plane, and guy wires 7 connect these points on'the upper frame with parts of the lower frame, the construction just described aiding in maintaining the frames of theaeroplane in rigid condition and holding them against relative movement.

The shape of the outer member of the frarrieto which the outer edges of the planes are attached is illustrated in Fig. 1 of the drawings, and it will be noted that this frame member 8, comprising a metallic tubular member, extends entirely about the plane, and that the shape of the structure outlined by this frame member is substantially kiteshaped. The reference numeral 9 denotes the inner frame member which conforms in shape to the frame member 8. This frame member is also formed by a metallic tube and forms a support for the inner edges of the plane. It will, therefore, be seen that the frame member 9 forms an outline of an aperture which extends through the central portion of the plane, said aperture being substantially kite-shaped to conform with the exterior contour of the plane.

The above description of the form and contour of the upper plane 1 applies to the lower plane also, both planes being of identical shape and superimposed one above the other, so that the boundaries of the central apertures 10 lie in the same vertical plane.

The body or car of the aeroplane is indicated at 11, the same being bullet-shaped, as shown, and is suspended by means of hangers 12 from the inner frame 13 of the lower frame. The hangers 12 which in the present instance are of tubular construction, are so disposed between the car 11 and the frame 13 as to establish a rigid connection between the car and the aeroplane, guy wires 14: con- PatentedNov. 12, 1918.

necting the outer frame 15 of the lower plane with the car, such guy wires assisting the hangers 12in maintaining a rigid connection between the aeroplane and the car. The engine is carried in the forward portion of the car.

At this point it may be observed that the car 11 is hung in such a way that its weight is located in the central portion of the aeroplane, that is, the weight of the car engine and associated parts is centralized with respect to the supporting surfaces of the planes. It will be also observed that the car is located a considerable distance below the lower plane; The object of this construction is-to insure the stability of the aeroplane, for it will be seen that should the engine stop while the machine is in flight, the weight of the car being disposed centrally of the supporting surfaces of the planes will cause the aeroplane to remain with its planes in horizontal positions, so that said planes will operate in the mannerof a parachute, whereby the machine will settle to the ground without any danger of turning over in the air.

The car of the machine is provided with depending rods 16 the lower ends of which rest upon springs 17 in the dash-pots 18 supported on the axle 19, such construction diminishing the jars to the aeroplane when the same alights. A rear wheel 20 is journaled in the frame'21 connected with the car.

Elevating planes 22 and 23 respectively are hingedly connected to the rear portion of the upper frame member 9, and the lower frame member 15, and are operated by cables 24. and 25 respectively, connected to the posts 26 and 27 respectively, said cables extending into the car where they are connected through suitable operating mechanism' The posts 26 and 27 are held in up right position by means of the stay wires 28 and 29 respectively.

Pivotally mounted upon upright posts 30 and 31 which extend between the upper and lower frame members, are rudders 32 and 33 respectively, said rudders being connected to move in unison by means of the rod 34, and said ru'dders being located'between the rear ends of the upper and lower planes, and forwardly of the elevating planes 22 and 23, so as not to interfere with the free operation of the latter. The rudders are also connected by means of cables 35 and 36 which extend rearwardly over the pulleys 37 whence they pass over the pulleys 38 to the'interior of the car, where they are also attached to the operating mechanism.

Referring to Fig. 7, it will be noted scription that wherever guy wires are so disposed that they intersect each other, and are in contact with their intersecting points, rings 39 are interposed insaid-wires at their point of, intersection, to which the ends of the wires are connected. The purpose of this construction is to equalize the tension of said intersecting guy'wires.

It will accordingly be seen that I have provided a structure Well adapted to attain, among others, allthe ends and objects above pointed out in a simple, yet efiicient, manner. B means of the construction absolute stability of the aeroplane is assured 'at all times, inasmuch as above stated, the weight of the car and engine is located centrally of the aeroplane.

It will also be noted that'the provision of the apertures in the planes, and the locating of the car directlv beneath these apertures, enables the occupants of the car to see through the planes, therefore in the event of the aeroplane being used for military purposes the occupants of the car are able to defend themselves from above as well as from below. I

As many changescould be made in this construction without departing from the scope of the following claim, it is intended that allmatter contained in the above de or shown in the accompanying drawings, shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

In an aeroplane, in combination, a plurality of planes disposed one above, another, each plane comprising an inner and outer frame, supporting surfaces extending between the frames of each plane, the inner frame of each plane forming the outline of an aperture, and the apertures of said planes being in vertical alinement, a post extending vertically through the frames of both the upper and lower planes to a point considerably above the upper plane, guy wires connecting the upper end of this post with various points in the frames of the upper plane, struts positioned between said planes, guy wires connecting said planes, and means for connecting together intersecting guy wires.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

PLATON LAZAnm'Es}.

Witnesses SAMUEL Conn, EMMA Wnmnnne. 

